P-I archives: Stadiums

July 19, 2010 10:00 PM

A March 1963 artist conception of a proposed Seattle all-purpose stadium.

A March 1963 artist conception of a proposed Seattle all-purpose stadium.

Photo: P-I File

A March 1963 artist conception of a proposed Seattle all-purpose... Photo-757676.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The 1960s photo caption read: This is the type of all-purpose, all-weather athletic plant Seattle will get if the bond issue is approved by voters. The photo of the model was taken through the plastic covering which makes baseball-in-the-rain possible. County Commissioners will vote on the proposal soon, after researchers recently pronounced the plan feasible. less

The 1960s photo caption read: This is the type of all-purpose, all-weather athletic plant Seattle will get if the bond issue is approved by voters. The photo of the model was taken through the plastic covering ... more

Photo: P-I File

The 1960s photo caption read: This is the type of all-purpose,... Photo-757692.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The original photo caption read: The State Stadium Commission has pared the number of potential domed stadium sites from 17 to five. Those selected for further study, shown, above, are: 1. Seattle Center, 2. King Street, 3. Dearborn Street, 4. Riverton and 5. Longacres. (P-I map by Bob McCausland) less

The original photo caption read: The State Stadium Commission has pared the number of potential domed stadium sites from 17 to five. Those selected for further study, shown, above, are: 1. Seattle Center, 2. ... more

Photo: P-I File

The original photo caption read: The State Stadium Commission has... Photo-757625.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The July 1963 photo caption read: This sketch, looking southwesterly, shows in foreground the proposed 50,000-seat sports stadium advocated by State Rep. Ray Olsen for erection on the tract where Seattle Transit now has its barns and parking lot across 5th Ave. N. from the World's Fair site. Open space at right center shown as plaza is site presently occupied by the High School Memorial Stadium, which would be razed under Olsen's plan. Sketch was prepared by Joseph L. Antic, cartographer for King County Planning Commission. less

The July 1963 photo caption read: This sketch, looking southwesterly, shows in foreground the proposed 50,000-seat sports stadium advocated by State Rep. Ray Olsen for erection on the tract where Seattle ... more

A picure of how a proposed stadium would look at Seattle Center, March 1969.

A picure of how a proposed stadium would look at Seattle Center, March 1969.

Photo: P-I File

A picure of how a proposed stadium would look at Seattle Center,... Photo-757628.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The November 1973 photo caption read: With completion of the domed stadium in less than two years, downtown Seattle will have a balance on the south for the Seattle Center on the north. The new sports facility - larger than Houston's astrodome - will seat 65,000 for football and 60,000 for baseball. Above, John Spellman, King County executive, checks construction progress (on schedule) with Don Gorman, project director for Donald Drake Co., the prime contractor. In the background are supports for seats facing east. The framework for the dome will start going up in December or January. less

The November 1973 photo caption read: With completion of the domed stadium in less than two years, downtown Seattle will have a balance on the south for the Seattle Center on the north. The new sports facility ... more

Photo: P-I File

The November 1973 photo caption read: With completion of the domed... Photo-757631.6798 - seattlepi.com

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An 1968 architect's concept of a stadium at Fifth Avenue and Yesler Way.

An 1968 architect's concept of a stadium at Fifth Avenue and Yesler Way.

The September 1969 photo caption read: Diagrammatic site plan showing relationship of the stadium to the new parking garages and Seattle Center. Traffic is directed from the Bay Freeway to the garage via elevated access ramps. less

The September 1969 photo caption read: Diagrammatic site plan showing relationship of the stadium to the new parking garages and Seattle Center. Traffic is directed from the Bay Freeway to the garage via ... more

The January 1969 photo caption read: A bold, Eye-catching design, the Harris & Reed wood dome concept typifies the architectural possibilities which could make King County's stadium world famous. Preliminary design and engineering studies project a seating capacity of 52,000 for baseball and 56,000 for football. less

The January 1969 photo caption read: A bold, Eye-catching design, the Harris & Reed wood dome concept typifies the architectural possibilities which could make King County's stadium world famous. Preliminary ... more

The State Stadium Commission visiting one of the proposed stadium sties, 1968.

The State Stadium Commission visiting one of the proposed stadium sties, 1968.

Photo: P-I File

The State Stadium Commission visiting one of the proposed stadium... Photo-757679.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The August 1966 photo caption read: Leaders of communities throughout King County Joined the campaign for a domed, all purpose stadium at a meeting last week. The measure which will seek voter approval at the September 20 primary election would bring major league sports and a host of other activities to the area. The group included (left to right) Gilbert Bremicker, Normandy Park city manager; Bob Gaines, mayor of Auburn; Joe Gandy, leader of the stadium driver; Don Custer mayor of Renton; Clarence Wilde, mayor of Bellevue. less

The August 1966 photo caption read: Leaders of communities throughout King County Joined the campaign for a domed, all purpose stadium at a meeting last week. The measure which will seek voter approval at the ... more

The November 1966 photo caption read: How Multi-Purpose Stadium Might Look. Full utilization of available space is planned to provide optimum access to the new King County Stadium, which will rise on Seattle Transit property across 5th Avenue N. from Seattle Center as shown in this architectural conception. A major parking garage would be built on property now held by Seattle Center and the Seattle School District. The top level of the garage would be developed as a landscaped plaza to provide covered walkways from parking areas and the monorail terminal to the center. less

The November 1966 photo caption read: How Multi-Purpose Stadium Might Look. Full utilization of available space is planned to provide optimum access to the new King County Stadium, which will rise on Seattle ... more

A March 1969 proposal for what became the Kingdome. Photo-757701.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The caption for this March 1969 stadium proposal stated: A sweeping view of the full playing surface is demonstrated by this cutaway section of the Harris & Reed dome design. The soaring span is created by a series of great arches springing from the perimeter of the dome toward a center compression ring. The arches are laced by a grid of intersecting stiffening ribs which support a double curved plywood shell. less

The caption for this March 1969 stadium proposal stated: A sweeping view of the full playing surface is demonstrated by this cutaway section of the Harris & Reed dome design. The soaring span is created by a ... more

Photo: P-I File

The caption for this March 1969 stadium proposal stated: A sweeping... Photo-757702.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The April 1969 photo caption read: American League President and Mrs. Joe Cronin inspect cut-away section of the wood domed stadium model designed for Weyerhaeuser Co. which calls for a clear span of 840 feet which reaches 250 feet in height at it's apex. The Houston Astrodome measures only 642 feet in diameter and rises only 206 feet above ground. less

The April 1969 photo caption read: American League President and Mrs. Joe Cronin inspect cut-away section of the wood domed stadium model designed for Weyerhaeuser Co. which calls for a clear span of 840 feet ... more

Photo: P-I File

The April 1969 photo caption read: American League President and... Photo-757706.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The April 1969 photo caption read: William Haselton, vice president and general manager of the Forest Products Division of St. Regis Paper Co; Norton Clapp, chairman of the board of Weyerhaeuser Co., and John Hess of the host committee. The look over a model designed for Weyerhaeuser Co. which calls for a clear span of 840 feet which reaches 250 feet in height at its apex. By comparison the Houston Astrodome measures only 642 feet in diameter and rises only 206 feet above ground. less

The April 1969 photo caption read: William Haselton, vice president and general manager of the Forest Products Division of St. Regis Paper Co; Norton Clapp, chairman of the board of Weyerhaeuser Co., and John ... more

A 1968 stadium proposal near the south end of Lake Union. Photo-757711.6798 - seattlepi.com

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This is a November 1967 aerial view of the area near Kent where Pierce County Board of Commissioners proposed a $40 million multi-purpose stadium to be built in coordination with King County.

This is a November 1967 aerial view of the area near Kent where Pierce County Board of Commissioners proposed a $40 million multi-purpose stadium to be built in coordination with King County.

Photo: P-I File

This is a November 1967 aerial view of the area near Kent where... Photo-757714.6798 - seattlepi.com

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A diagram for the proposed stadium site in South Park, June 1968.

A diagram for the proposed stadium site in South Park, June 1968.

Photo: P-I File

A diagram for the proposed stadium site in South Park, June 1968. Photo-757715.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The September 1967 photo caption read: An "air rights" location 25 feet above the railroad tracks on the south side of King Sttret adjacent to King Street Station. Veiw is east. Parking garages, with space for 7,500 cars, would server downtown sites. less

The September 1967 photo caption read: An "air rights" location 25 feet above the railroad tracks on the south side of King Sttret adjacent to King Street Station. Veiw is east. Parking garages, with space for ... more

A South Park site was one of five sites proposed in for a new stadium. Exact date of original photograph unknown.

A South Park site was one of five sites proposed in for a new stadium. Exact date of original photograph unknown.

Photo: P-I File

A South Park site was one of five sites proposed in for a new... Photo-822464.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The 1972 photo caption read: This preliminary plan for the King County multipurpose stadium was approved yesterday by the county's Design Commission. The main entrance for the more than 60,000 who could attend events under cover or a dome would be on Occidental Avenue S., at the top of the drawing. Other boundaries of the complex would be S. Connecticut Street, on the left; S. King Street, on the right; and the railroad tracks, at bottom. On-site parking would hold more than 5,000 cars; 14,000 more could park within 15 minutes' walk of the stadium. Bid-opening is expected by July; completion, by mid-1974. less

The 1972 photo caption read: This preliminary plan for the King County multipurpose stadium was approved yesterday by the county's Design Commission. The main entrance for the more than 60,000 who could attend ... more

A proposed sketch for a Fifth Avenue stadium, October 1967. Photo-822473.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The December 1969 photo caption read: View of domed-stadium model, looking east from point on west side of Seattle Center. Model shows how Bay Freeway will curve along east side of stadium and how ramps off Bay Freeway will feed directly into parking garage on north side of Mercer across from stadium. Coliseum [now KeyArena] is in center foreground; Opera House complex and existing Mercer Street parking garage at left center. less

The December 1969 photo caption read: View of domed-stadium model, looking east from point on west side of Seattle Center. Model shows how Bay Freeway will curve along east side of stadium and how ramps off Bay ... more

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area was the former site of the Kingdome. The January 1971 photo caption read: Dotted lines show stadium site selected by state commission yesterday.

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area was the former site of the Kingdome. The January 1971 photo caption read: Dotted lines show stadium site selected by state commission yesterday.

Photo: P-I File

This picture shows where Qwest Field now stands. Most of the area... Photo-822480.6798 - seattlepi.com

An October 1967 drawing of the proposed Interbay stadium site. Photo-822494.6798 - seattlepi.com

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Aaron Johnson of Bremerton chops up an old pickup camper shell at property put up for sale on the corner of Highway 3 and Southwest Lake Flora Road in Kitsap County. The property owner, who has owned the site for 30 years, put the corner lot up for sale in 2005 partly because of plans for a NASCAR track to be built adjacent to the home. The track was never built. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file) less

Aaron Johnson of Bremerton chops up an old pickup camper shell at property put up for sale on the corner of Highway 3 and Southwest Lake Flora Road in Kitsap County. The property owner, who has owned the site ... more

The December 1969 photo caption read: Model of King County domed stadium and Seattle Center complex, looking west along Mercer Street. Note how off-ramps from Bay Freeway lead directly into parking garage. Bay Freeway itself curves southwest under Broad Street along southeast side of stadium. less

The December 1969 photo caption read: Model of King County domed stadium and Seattle Center complex, looking west along Mercer Street. Note how off-ramps from Bay Freeway lead directly into parking garage. Bay ... more

Photo: P-I File

The December 1969 photo caption read: Model of King County domed... Photo-823272.6798 - seattlepi.com

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The December 1969 time schedule for deisgn and contstruction of a proposed domed stadium and Bay Freeway.

The December 1969 time schedule for deisgn and contstruction of a proposed domed stadium and Bay Freeway.

Photo: P-I File

The December 1969 time schedule for deisgn and contstruction of a... Photo-823276.6798 - seattlepi.com

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Model of proposed domed stadium, looking east. Note how off-ramps from Bay Freeway lead directly into parking garage across Mercer St.

Model of proposed domed stadium, looking east. Note how off-ramps from Bay Freeway lead directly into parking garage across Mercer St.

The December 1969 photo caption read: Overhead View of octagonal domed-stadium model. Proposed parking garage on north side of Mercer Street east of Fifth Avenue is at top of picture. Charter bus parking on southwest corner of 5th and Mercer is shown at top right. less

The December 1969 photo caption read: Overhead View of octagonal domed-stadium model. Proposed parking garage on north side of Mercer Street east of Fifth Avenue is at top of picture. Charter bus parking on ... more

A February 1972 model showing part of what became the Kingdome. Photo-823289.6798 - seattlepi.com

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This 2004 drawing, provided by the International Speedway Corp., shows a planned 80,000-seat speedway near the Bremerton Airport in Kitsap County, Wash., with Mount Rainier in the background. The 950-acre site would be large enough to host NASCAR events. less

This 2004 drawing, provided by the International Speedway Corp., shows a planned 80,000-seat speedway near the Bremerton Airport in Kitsap County, Wash., with Mount Rainier in the background. The 950-acre site ... more

Photo: P-I File

This 2004 drawing, provided by the International Speedway Corp.,... Photo-822501.6798 - seattlepi.com

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A forgotten truck sprouts trees in a field on the northern edge of Site A, where promoters in 2004 said a NASCAR track may be built near Arlington Airport. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)

A forgotten truck sprouts trees in a field on the northern edge of Site A, where promoters in 2004 said a NASCAR track may be built near Arlington Airport. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

A forgotten truck sprouts trees in a field on the northern edge of... Photo-822504.6798 - seattlepi.com